Curtain-stretcher



(No Model.)

J. SMITH. CURTAIN STRBTGHER.

No. 568,991L Y g Patented Oct. 6, 1896.,v

` l I 3 Mofa Y A 4 www UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPHINE SMITH, OF JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN-STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,991, dated October 6, 1896.

Application led .Tune 29, 1896.

To all whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, J osEPHiNE SMITH, a citi zen of the United States, residing' at Jacksonville, in the county of Morgan and State of Illinois, have invented -certain new and useful Improvements in Curtain-Stretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in curtain-stretchers; and it consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a curtain-stretcher embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail section showing one of the hooks for holding the curtain. Fig. et is asimilar view showing the manner of adjusting the hooks to scallops in the edge of the curtain, and Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the hooks and extension hangers or bars.

In carrying out my invention I employ a frame consisting of standards or supports A and bars B, attached thereto. The standards, it will be noticed, are constructed in twoparts or sections connected by hinges C, so that they may be set up in substantially an A form and prove self-supporting. The

sections of the standards are provided with longitudinal slots D, through which and similar longitudinal slots E in the bars B are passed set or thumb screws F for the purpose of adjustably securing the standards and said bars together. The frame can thus be quickly adjusted to the size of the curtain to be stretched and dried, and two, three, or more standards maybe used, according to the size of the frame desired. Along the top of the frame are rollers or rods G, which are mounted in eyes or bearings H on the outer sides of the standards, at the upperA ends of the same. In the edges of the barsB and the standards I form a series of notches I, in which are engaged the hooks J,Which hold the curtain. These hooks consist of a censerial No. 597.388. (No moda.)

tral stem or shank K, havin g one end doubled on itself, as shown at L, to form a retaininglip, which engages the notch in the bar and bears against the flat side of the same to retainthe hook in its operative position. The opposite end of the stem is bent into a pin or curtain-holding loop M, the end of which is engaged under and held by a spur N, rising from the shank or stem at an intermediate point thereof. lVhen the edge of the curtain, is scalloped or irregular, and the hooks consequently must extend varying distances beyond the bars or standards, I employ the extension-hangers O, which consist of a stem having a hook P at one end to engage the notch in the frame and provided along its length with a series of eyes Q, any one of which may be engaged by the retaining-lip L of the hook K.

The manner of using my improved curtain drier and stretcher will be readily understood. The hooks are engaged in the edges of the washed and damp curtain, and their retaining-lips are then engaged in the notches of the frame, after which the bars and standards are properly adjusted to stretch the curtain'. If the curtain is small or of medium size, the hooks are engaged in all four edges of the same, but if it is very large it is iirst doubled over the roller at the top of the frame, and the hooks are then properly engaged in its edges, as described, or the curtain may, if preferred, be passed over both the rollers, so as to merely rest thereon, and then stretched on both sides of the frame.

It will be readily understood, of course, that the drier may be made in any desired size; but I prefer to construct it in such a size that it will hold four curtains doubled over the top roller.

When the edges of the curtain are scalloped or irregular, the hooks cannot be engaged directly over the frame without tearing out from the curtain, and I then use the extension-bars, the hooks being engaged in one or another of the eyes thereon, according to the depth of the scallop.

My device is very simple in its construc- IOO tion, and its advantages are thought to be obvious without detailed reference thereto.

The frame is self-supporting and can be set up anywhere.

It may be folded with the 15 rights having aseries of notches in their outer edges and the central uprights having similar notches in both edges, horizontal bars having longitudinal slots therein, adjustable bolts connecting the uprights and the bars, rods secured to the outer faces of the upright-s at the upper ends of the same, and hook-andpin connections adapted to be seated in the notches and hold the curtain.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of tivo witnesses'. A

.I OSEPHIN E SMITH. lVitnesses:

CHARLES A. BARNES, JOHN A. VICKERY. 

